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The North East was the engine of the world. It powered the planet with its coal, but transported it with its ships.
Though the docks are filled in, the collective memory of the hard graft and creaking hulls live on.
Scroll down to discover the famous shipyards which fuelled the growth of this great region.
WQ001
Tyne
Clelands Yard
Wallsend
Willington Quay
H English (1836), William Cleland (1866-1872), William Cleland & Co. Ltd. (1872), Clelands Graving Dock and Slipway Co Ltd., Clelands (Shiprepairers) Ltd (1920-1932), Clelands (Successors) Ltd. (1932-1934), Craggs family (1934), Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd. (1967-1977), British Shipbuilders (1977)
Updated:
11 Jul 2025
Created:
9 Jun 2023
Map
Background photo: Readhead's Shipyard c1960 by Ronald Sanderson, copyright free from Tyne and Wear Archives
Historic Maps provided by
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